Flora, Fauna, And Aminals (1)

So, as Monty Python would say, "Let's begin at the beginning."

As I've mentioned on numerous occasions, I work in the city. But that doesn't mean that there isn't any photo opportunities to speak of. Take my office building for example. As you can see, it's very much a one way outlook. Those on the inside can see out, and those on the out can't see in. This picture came about in an interesting way. I was sitting outside at a picnic table in the no-smoking area of the building (read: the entire complex is smoke free) during my morning break, when the reflection in the windows caught my eye once again. I say once again, because I'm always seeing cool reflections in the windows. This time though, I had my camera with me, so I thought I would try to get a shot of the reflection. As they say, nothing ventured nothing gained. The building in the reflection is one of many units of low-income housing that dot the streets where my office is located.

My lovely daughter Jenelle posing with two of the nearly three dozen (yes, proud poppa said three dozen) medals she's won for ice skating over the past five years or so. This was taken on the weekend, and I know this because all her competitions take place on the weekends. And yes, there are stuffed aminals in the window cheering her on.

Another pose, same area, which is the front yard. I say that based on the shadow on the swinging bench, this was taken in the early afternoon. The front porch that you'll see in the next picture, provides the shade that you see, right up until 6p, when the sun is finally over in the front of the house. People laugh, but on my side of the street, it isn't unusual to see snow in the front yard until early March.

Still yet another pose (yes, I was having a hard time coming up with photo opportunities that day). I will mention that for about three months in 2009, the front bench is where I did the bulk of my writing/blogging. However, as you can see, that thing was not made for comfort, so I skedaddled to the backyard deck and the backyard, and have been doing the bulk of my writing back there ever since. And before you ask, I used that chair next to the bench as a writing area as well. Screwed up my lower back while using those two implements to rest my delicate heiny on.

Walking as you know is one of my favorite pastimes. This is at the apex of my street looking east towards the mountain, which as you can see, is very much starting to show signs of life. One of the interesting things about this street is that the trees that you see dotting each side of the road, have not been touched by the local electrical utility. Not sure if you have something similar in your neck of the woods, but the almighty Connecticut Light & Power will trim/de-limb/destroy/decapitate any tree that happens to even remotely threaten the power line, whether due to old age, young age, damaged condition or healthier than MoveOn.org's hate of GWB.

Not sure why I took this pic. I probably should've gotten closer, but I do respect a person's property, so no trespassing was done to take this shot. But, I will venture a guess that the landscaping in the front had a lot to do with me taking this shot. In the distance, you can see a small weathervane/windmill and one of those funky blue balls that seem to be the rage in suburbia. The gentleman that owns this house is a very decent landscaper and during the various holidays throughout the year, has the yard tastefully decorated.